Aside from Lesotho and Mauritius (random ass countries that no one cares about), we're pretty much the only African country who can go there whenever we want, literally.
What exactly is the reason? I don't recall Japan's diplomatic relations with our country being mentioned on Live TV or Broadcasts.
I interviewed with Company A a while ago, the role fits my expectations nicely and matches my profile. They sent me the papers first via Email (Job contract, "personalbogen", Photos & video consent form and information regarding company pension scheme)
So far I signed 3 documents but not the job contract. It should arrive by post next week.
This week I interviewed with Company B, the role matches my background way more than the other role, and they said they want to hire me
Here's a direct comparison of both offers:
Company A:
+ My application with them is 100% confirmed
- Salary is actually below average and will most likely be rejected by the Agentur für Arbeit (I don't have a work permit hence why I need to apply for one at the ABH)
+ Individual "Weiterbildung" and Certification bonus
+ They will pay for my C1 language course
+ Flexible working hours
+ AFAIK nice and chill environment, will be working closely with the Senior team
- Company is located very far away and I haven't found rent near them yet.
Company B:
+ HR is aware that I don't have work permit/blue card and have dealt with previous candidates with the same situation as well, + they "know" people from the Agentur.
+ Remote work is possible
+ Public transportation discounts
+ Company is located in my city
+ Flexible working hours
+ Will look better on my resume
- Onboarding process will be stricter because of the nature of the job, but my background should come in handy
- More corporate (idk if thats good or bad)
- Salary not disclosed yet, no physical contract yet, only verbal offer
There's also Company C that I have an interview with next week, but nothing is confirmed from their side.
I have to make a decision relatively quickly because my current residence permit expires soon and Company A expects me to start working with them next month. Should I tell Company B I got accepted but haven't signed the contract yet to "speed" up the process or will it kill my chances with them?
Chat am I cooked? Job is supposed to start in June and the only bad thing I heard about your lovely city is how bad finding rent is. I don't mind living in the outskirts of the city aslong as Public transport actually connects to the center.
My Budget allows for maximum of 1100 Euros
* Non EU
* Not fluent in German (ironically the job and communication is strictly in german)
* No relevant work experience in Germany
* Foreign name, so my CV was probably subject to discrimination
* Have a CS Bachelor degree from a random ass no-name University back home
* Company is in a different city
I originally came here with a Job seeker visa that only allowed me to work part-time. I learned very quickly because of this that HR is my bane when it comes to bringing up the fact that I have to apply at the ABH for a full-time work permit. I've had almost around 30 interviews and would bet my soul that half of them were to accept me if it wasn't for this whole work permit fiasco.
Here is my advice for people who are also non-EU and don't have prior work experience:
- If you can, Ignore companies with HR departments, seriously they don't know shit about your profile and how your skills can transfer into the role and have internal policy to not sponsor work permits/visas
- Ignore HR recruitment companies like: Amadeus Fire, FERCHAU, Dataport, Robert half, etc. If you don't have a valid work permit, they will also ghost/reject you without second thought. The sad part is that most of the jobs in my field are advertised and sourced by these companies so I had to limit my scope
- Build a solid project, I don't care what field you're in. This is one of the only ways you can impress a curious hiring manager
- BREAK THE ICE with your interviewer, you have to find a common point of interest that you both share to leave a lasting impression on them
- Expand your job search to neighbouring cities
- Linkedin is useless, don't use it.
- If you think a job matches your profile nicely, Craft a personal cover letter, submit every single document that you think is relevant for the job and CALL THEM right after to let them know who you are, ask if the role is still open and who the hiring manager is.
- Apply as soon as the role gets published, this makes sure your resume is at the top of the pile
- Understand that this job market is an abomination. It is NEVER your fault that you didn't/can't find a job yet.
If I'm being honest I don't feel anything right now. I've already gone through the 7 stages of grief and had stopped giving a shit but I still kept sending 3-5 applications every week because why the fuck not. Lo and behold this miracle decided to appear right before my Visa expired.
Fuck this job market and good luck to the rest of you. Seriously, only luck will pull you out of this rat race.